Latest news with #BrentCalkin
Vancouver Sun
18-05-2025
- Vancouver Sun
After a 'really horrible month,' B.C. search-and-rescue groups warn about relying too much on AI and apps
A recent rescue on the slopes of Unnecessary Mountain prompted Lions Bay Search and Rescue team leader Brent Calkin to run some test questions through an AI chatbot. 'A snow-free hike I can do in May near Vancouver,' led to Buntzen Lake and Quarry Rock, two reasonable options accompanied by a warning to check trail conditions and bring appropriate gear. A more vague query — 'a mountain I can climb near Vancouver' — suggested the Lions or Panorama Ridge in Garibaldi Provincial Park, both of which require more advanced skills and remain blanketed in snow mid-spring. Calkin noted a 'good input' made a significant difference in the type of answers he received. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. After a 'really horrible month' in which several hikers ran into trouble in terrain beyond their abilities, B.C. rescue groups are warning about the risk of relying too heavily on technology, including chatbot and apps, when venturing into the wilderness. In a recent case, Calkin and his team were called to Unnecessary Mountain after two hikers used ChatGPT and Google Maps to select a trail, unaware they would encounter snow. Wearing flat-soled shoes, the men soon realized their mistake and turned around, but became unsteady on the descent. 'We ended up going up there with boots for them,' he said. 'We asked them their boot size and brought up boots and ski poles.' The call prompted Lions Bay Search and Rescue to remind people that chatbots and apps are 'not always best for backcountry navigation.' North Shore Rescue issued a similar warning in December after hikers in two separate incidents three days apart were stranded in snowy conditions after following trails they found on a hiking app. 'All you had to do was look at the top of the mountains from Vancouver and know there's snow up there,' searcher Allan McMordie told Postmedia News at the time. 'To be in running shoes and not even expecting any snow was pretty naive.' The issue isn't limited to B.C. A recent report by Mountain Rescue England and Wales blamed social media and navigation apps for a record rise in call-outs last year, particularly among the 18 to 24 age group. Mountain Rescue attributed the increase to interest in 'honeypot' locations that show up on social media, as well as increased reliance on apps that lack detail or don't work offline, according to an article in The Guardian. Calkin said that while technology can be incredibly helpful in the backcountry, it doesn't replace trip planning, skills or experience. 'With the amount of information available online, it's really easy for people to get in way over their heads, very quickly,' he said. Technology has helped reduce some of the barriers to getting into the wilderness, which is generally a good thing, said Ryan Stuart, a mountain biker and community engagement coordinator with the Outdoor Recreation Council of B.C. But increased access sometimes comes at the expense of education and experience. Instead of finding out about a great trail by joining a hiking club, for example, more people are finding routes through apps and simply heading out. 'There isn't always that awareness of the risks,' he said. Stuart said hikers need to be aware of potential pitfalls around the use of technology and prepare for them both while trip planning and on the adventure itself. A paper map is always in Stephen Hui's backpack. For the author of 105 Hikes, a popular B.C. guidebook with a second edition coming out later this month, obtaining reliable information is one of the biggest challenges presented by chatbots and apps. It can be difficult to know if AI has given you outdated information from an obscure blog or if it's coming from a reliable source, he said: 'You want to have a few different points of information to ensure it's correct.' Hui has seen incorrect trail distances on apps, as well as comments about difficulty that could be misleading. Like Calkin, he's tested ChatGPT's trip planning ability and admits it's good at coming up with suggestions and even 'decent directions' to many popular trailheads. But he's seen it struggle with more obscure routes. The lack of real-time information is also a problem during trip planning. 'Time of year is a big deal in B.C.,' he said. 'The most sought-after view is the mountain top, but that's really only accessible to hikers from July to October. In winter, people may still be seeking those views and not realize that there's going to be snow.' B.C. AdventureSmart executive director Sandra Riches said apps might give outdated or generalized information without the 'local knowledge' that's necessary to plan a trip. That includes trail conditions, weather and changes to the route. Calkin said Facebook groups and Reddit hiking forums can be one of the best places to get current information. It's common to see people asking for updates on trail conditions or whether a trail is appropriate given their fitness level. 'Someone might tell you there's a storm coming in this week. Or I was just up there Wednesday and it looks good. Or you're out of your mind, don't take your six-year-old on that trail.' Calkin said you might also learn that there's a bear denning on the side of the trail you were planning to do. In addition to being a planning tool, technology is also making an appearance on the trail, where it can both save and imperil lives. Stuart said mapping apps like Gaia GPS, onX, All Trail and Trail Forks provide high-quality trail maps, while Google Maps isn't a good backcountry navigation tool. 'When you stop off the road, turn off Google and turn on something else,' he advised. He stressed that it's important to know how to use whatever app you choose, as well as its limits. Don't count on cell reception in the backcountry and download any maps before you go. Carry a backup battery. 'It's about what you're most comfortable with and most proficient at using,' Stuart said. Stuart said redundancy is key. A phone can be a great tool for navigation or to call for help, but if the battery dies, the screen cracks or it falls in a creek, 'now what?' Many wilderness trails are also out of cellphone range. He also emphasized the need to be aware of your surroundings when using a device. 'If you're stuck in your phone, you might not notice that big storm cloud hanging over the summit.' Riches agreed technology can sometimes impart a 'false sense of security.' When out of cell range, she recommends carrying some kind of satellite communication device or beacon for emergencies, like ZOLEO or inReach. It's also important to understand how to use a topographical map and compass, which won't run out of batteries and have reliably helped people navigate wilderness terrain for years. 'North isn't changing any time soon,' she said. gluymes@ As Squamish Search and Rescue member Christine Strub says: 'Technology is great, but do not solely rely on it.' AdventureSmart recommends three T's for ensuring a safe trip. Trip planning: Plan a travel route, know the terrain and conditions, check the weather, and fill out a trip plan and leave it with a friend. The trip plan should include names and a description of who is in your party, where you're going and when you plan to be back. B.C. AventureSmart has a trip-planning app that can help people through this process. Training: Obtain the knowledge and skills you need before heading out, and know and stay within those limits. Taking the essentials: Often known as the 10 essentials, it's recommended to carry several items on every trip. This includes a flashlight (including spare batteries and a bulb); a fire-making kit with waterproof matches; a signalling device like a whistle or a mirror; extra food and water; extra clothing (rain, wind, water protection and a toque); navigation and communication aids with extra batteries or a backup battery; a first-aid kit; an emergency shelter tarp; a pocket knife; and sun protection, including glasses, sunscreen and a hat. B.C. AdventureSmart executive director Sandra Riches said it's also important to think about personal, seasonal and sport specific needs, as a snowmobiler will need to take different equipment than a rock climber to be safe on a trip. In an emergency, AdventureSmart advises people to follow the STOP acronym: Stop, think, observe, plan and then act, which highlights the importance of a 'survival attitude' based on planned actions rather than 'irrational behaviour based on fear.'
CBC
06-05-2025
- CBC
16-year-old hiker dies after fall in Lions Bay area
A teen has died after they fell down a gully during a hike in the Lions Bay area, officials say. According to a release from Sea to Sky RCMP, officers, alongside members from Lions Bay Search and Rescue and North Shore Rescue, responded to a call of two hikers who had become separated and lost around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. One of the hikers was located and rescued by helicopter, while the other was found unresponsive. They were taken to the hospital but, despite life-saving efforts, police said they did not survive. Both hikers were 16 years old, according to a statement posted to social media by North Shore Rescue. Lions Bay SAR team leader Brent Calkin said the teens were coming down from hiking the Mount Brunswick Trail when one of them fell and slipped in a steep and snowy gully near the Yahoo Creek area on Hat Mountain. He said there have been a number of incidents in the past few weeks of people slipping and falling in icy and snowy conditions, with several recent deaths. "It absolutely terrifies me what the potential is for slipping and falling in the backcountry right now," said Calkin. He said it is a treacherous time of year, with snow and ice on many trails. He stressed those who are not experts should stick to trails where snow has already melted. "When something is easy to climb in August, it is a completely different proposition this time of year where it's still winter in the mountains and summer in the city," said Calkin. Following the teen's death, the RCMP said it is working with the B.C. Coroners Service to advance the investigation. "Our thoughts and condolences go out to the friends and family of the deceased," said Sgt. Dallas Langley of the Sea to Sky RCMP.
